Dental health week

DURING this year’s Dental Health Week from 1 to 7 August, the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch (ADAVB) will be driving awareness about oral care for children and expectant mothers.
The ADAVB is focusing on three key focus areas to help children and expectant mothers with their oral health needs.
Refined carbohydrates and dental decay
The increased consumption of highly processed foods containing carbohydrates and the regular snacking on these types of foods exposes teeth to an increased risk of dental disease.
While it is unrealistic to cut these foods out of the diet, the ADAVB has some tips to help minimise dental decay related to their consumption.
•Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods, especially those rich in calcium and low in acids and sugars.
•Enjoy healthy snacks, with cheese and fruit being ideal afterschool choices. Some foods help to protect teeth – milk and some cheeses are recognised as having protective qualities to help prevent dental decay.
Soft drinks, fruit juices, sports drinks and bottled water
The best way for children to remain adequately hydrated and maintain healthy teeth is to drink fluoridated tap water where possible.
If soft drinks, fruit juices or sports drinks are consumed the ADAVB recommends:
•Try not to hold or ‘swish’ the drink around the mouth as this increases the likelihood of dental decay and enamel erosion.
•Use a straw where possible as this minimises exposure of the beverage to teeth.
•Try to drink chilled drinks as cooler temperatures have been shown as less likely to encourage tooth erosion.
•Drink fluoridated tap water as much as possible. Try to follow consumption of a fruit juice, soft drink or sports drink with a glass of water as it helps with saliva flow and helps wash away the sugars and acids from such drinks.
Oral care for expectant mothers
A number of key factors specific to pregnancy can play a role in oral health and the ADAVB says:
•Hormonal changes and gum health – pregnant women experience hormonal changes, which can sometimes lead to gum inflammation, resulting in swelling and bleeding of the gums. It is important to make your dentist aware of any gum inflammation. Brushing regularly with a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste will assist in maintaining healthy gums and teeth.
•Morning sickness can have a damaging effect on teeth as they are exposed to acids due to vomiting and gastric reflux. In order to protect teeth against this acid exposure, don’t brush teeth immediately following vomiting, rather smear a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste over the teeth and rinse with water or use a fluoride mouth rinse.
•Food cravings can lead to snacking during pregnancy. Avoid high sugar snacks. Help look after teeth by eating a wide variety of foods low in sugar and high in calcium and drinking milk.